The law on helmet cams

[GREENI3]

I'm currently using an MD80 camera for video recording, which I have put inside my helmet.

My dad is against the idea, as he thinks if I crash/fall of that it will break my temple e.t.c.
And apparently it also invalidates my insurance, because I've 'modified' my helmet.
Although all I've down is wedge a bit of plastic between the outer and inner shell and it is quite secure.

So is it legal or not to be doing this?

[bootsbiker]

[stinkwheel]

The way I've seen it done is to attach the camera to the side using a big pad of sticky-backed velcro. Then it'll come off if you have a crash.

You attach the camera to your jacket with a safety line in case the velcro comes off. It doesn't though, a big velcro pad gets a good hold.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[GREENI3]

[Ichy]

Completely legal. Its going to take a bit more than a bit of Chinky plastic to break your temple, might take your eye out though. Insurance won't be void but they may consider you a bit dumb.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[stinkwheel]

The law says you have to wear a helmet of the relevant safety standard on your head.

Road traffic act 1988:
Wearing of protective headgear.E+W+S

16 (1)The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring, subject to such exceptions as may be specified in the regulations, persons driving or riding (otherwise than in side-cars) on motor cycles of any class specified in the regulations to wear protective headgear of such description as may be so specified.

(2)A requirement imposed by regulations under this section shall not apply to any follower of the Sikh religion while he is wearing a turban.

(3)Regulations under this section may make different provision in relation to different circumstances.

(4)A person who drives or rides on a motor cycle in contravention of regulations under this section is guilty of an offence; but notwithstanding any enactment or rule of law no person other than the person actually committing the contravention is guilty of an offence by reason of the contravention unless the person actually committing the contravention is a child under the age of sixteen years.

Also the Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations 1980

“protective headgear” means a helmet which—

(a)either—

(i)bears a marking applied by its manufacturer indicating compliance with the specifications contained in one of the British Standards (whether or not as modified by any amendment) mentioned in Schedule 2 to these Regulations; or

(ii)is of a type manufactured for use by persons on motor cycles which by virtue of its shape, material and construction could reasonably be expected to afford to the wearer a degree of protection from accidental injury similar to or greater than that provided by a helmet of a type prescribed by regulation 5;

(b)if worn with a chin cup attached to or held in position by a strap, is provided with an additional strap (to be fastened under the wearer’s jaw) for securing the helmet to the head; and

(c)is securely fastened to the head by means of straps provided for that purpose; and

“strap” includes any fastening device.

That's your lot. If it's got the relevant British or EU standard mark on it and it beong worn, on your head, with the strap done up. It's legal. There is no mention of modification, fit or condition.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[GREENI3]

So if I got stopped by the police, they wouldn't say anything about it?

I've heard they can seize any recorded footage as evidence. Is this true?

[weasley]

They can not seize footage or photographs without a warrant, nor make you delete them. Doesn't matter who it is of. If you're in a public place you have the right to film and photograph whatever you like (within the bounds of decency, terrorism etc). You don't need anyone's permission and no-one can stop you.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[stinkwheel]

[bootsbiker]

I did start a topic a little while ago.. in fact a poll....

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=214469&highlight=

good and bad...
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https://justfuckinggoogleit.com/

[Glenben92]

If they don't have the legal ability to seize something that they want, they'll take it off you and stamp on it anyway, then just lie about it.

Maybe hide the camera if you're pulled for speeding though
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010

[Mister James]

[iooi]

Personally i would not fancy a cam in my helmet.

There are plenty of places to fit a cam on the bike, where they are well hidden. So should you get pulled they might not notice. But still give good views in the event of a incident.

I have fitted mine to places such as the lower engine cowl, under fairing, on the radiator and on the spot lamp bracket. All via velco.

Bonus of fitting to the bike is you can run them powered, so battery life is not a issue
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Rogerborg]

[GREENI3]

I'm only using it so that if someone crashed into me and it wasn't my fault I'd have evidence to speed up any insurance claim.

I know it's not a good idea to have it inside the helmet, which is why I'm going to stop using it now.

I'd put it somewhere on the bike, but the cameras not waterproof. (what do you expect for 11 quid)

Needed a few of the legal aspects confirmed, so thanks for the replies.

[Willson]

Wrap it in cling film then

(Obviously everything but the lens...)
____________________
Benson: Wouldn't life be easier if we were all turtles?
Me: Pig on bread = The way forward.
Riding: '00 Suzuki SV650S. Previous: '99 Kawasaki ER5 - sold, '02 Suzuki GZ125 Marauder - sold

[Pete247]

I mount mine on my fork leg or gaffa-tape it to the chin piece on my Arai if helmet mounting. Bike mounting is better tho if you can avoid it vibrating

[John933]

I have video on my bike as well. Have had it a while now and have played around with where is the best place to have it and how to fix it. Me I've got mine on the crown of my helmet. I found that by turning my head I can video what I want rather than just the straight forward looking view that bike mount will give you. I have mine attached with sticky back Velcro. Work's a treat. Just slap it in place and you are away. No problem with have I left it on the bike. As it's always with you. A side effect is that car driver's can see it very quickly, and recognize what it is. So you don't get so much the dumb azz driver's trying to kill you.
John933
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My trip

[tahrey]

I could swear last time I saw someone describing how to use one of those cheap "microDV" card-based cameras, it went on the outside of the helmet ... he just fed a velcro strap in under the bottom of the visor, down and out of the neckhole and back up at the front. Sits sort of in front of your nose, strap is thin enough that visor still shuts with reasonable effectiveness if the weatherstrip is ok. The sound is next to useless because of wind unless you smother it in foam or bubblewrap, but it's not really that much of an issue.

So long as the helmet isn't desperately crap (or a flip-front and you've mounted the camera in front of the release button like a muppet), should you come off and faceplant camera-first, the camera itself will smashed flat long before there's a suggestion of it doing you any harm.

Just have to hope that the system was writing continually and directly to the memory card, and that said card's flash chip remains intact enough for the data to be recovered.

Alternatively I picked up an "anywhere" digital camera mount from PC World for like a quid from their clearance bin before xmas, but haven't yet had chance to try it out. It's like an orange plastic thing with a standard tripod thread on one side, and a couple of moderate length captive velcro bands on the other. Tighten on the camera, strap it up (handlebars? tank bag somehow? helmet again?) and off you go.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Hetzer]

[Mister James]

Under PACE it would usually be post-arrest (after a s32 search) or while 'legally on premises' - which covers taking stuff when searching a car/house/etc.

The common law powers for seizing property are probably more relevant - and of course, less clear.

In general you've got a point - seizure of evidence has to be for some form of investigation, and has to meet all the usual criteria; Proportionate to the offence, necessary to preserve the evidence, etc.

I imagine the Hetzer (and indeed, the Mr James) interpretation of a proportionate and necessary seizure of video footage might differ slightly from your average traffic cop.

In practise I'd imagine it would usually only occur during a serious investigation - such as dangerous driving, death by, etc. That said, being a Response officer I've got other things to worry about - wifebeaters, burglars, robbers, missing kids, escaped nutters with knives and coked-up Polish man-mountains.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[Frog]

So you can be searched (for the moment anyway) but your property 'cannot' (I.e. cannot resonably) be seized unless you are also arrested and/or cautioned?

[Rogerborg]

[Mister James]